Vacuum brake apparatus



mfG. BAKER VACUUM BRAKE APPARATUS' Nov. 30 1926.Y

2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed March 9, 1925 Sme/nio@ Patented Nov. 30, 1926.

Lawa

Parser oerics.

NORMAN Gs. BAKER, QF IVUSCTNE, I'WA.

VACUUM BRAKE APPARATUS.

Application `filed March 9, 1925.

This invention is a novel improvement in vacuum brake systems especially adapted 'for `braking the music rolls of automat-ic band organs, pianolas, and the ,.lil e,and the 5 principal object ot the invention is to lprovide an etlicient, novel, and inexpensive, vacuum brake system embodying certain novel constructions and arrangements ol parts whereby a `minimum orn such parts in lo the system will be required.

l will explain the invention with reference to the accompanying drawing which illustrates one practical embodiment .thereof to enable others Jfamiliar with the art to adopt i5 and use the same, and will summarize inthe claimsthe essential features of the invention, the `novel Yfeatures of construction, and novel combinations of parts, for all of .which protection is desired.

in said drawings:

Figure l is a diagrammatic view of the system.

Figure 2 is a longitudinal section through the vacuui'n cheek valve used in said system.

Figure 3 is a detail section through the vacuum release valveon the line 3&3, Fig', l.

ly` el is an enlarged section vthrough the rewind device.

Fig. is an enlarged section through the :le control bellows for operating the valves in the stop box.

As shown in the drawing, the systemcomprises a vacuum chest diagrammatically shown at l, of any desired type, in which is maintained a constant vacuum, by any desired means. A hose connection 2 connects vacuum cl est l with the middle compartment 3 ot a stop box 3, .which boX is subdivided in any desired manner into three normally noli-communicating` compartments 8u. 32 and 3, whereby vacuum is normally n'laintained in said middle compartment 8, ln the opposite walls of compartment 3^? are valve openings 3d, 3", communicating with compartments 3b, 3C, respectively said openings beingadapted to be closed by valves Pif. 5g, mounted upon a common valve rod il passing through the box 3 and through the openings 3, 30, valves 3f, 3S, being .so disposed upon rod 3h that when the rod is moved in one direction valve 3f will-close its related opening 8 while the other valve 3g will remain unseated. but when rod 8h is moved in the opposite di ection valve Bg will Ywill remain unseated.

4close its related opening 3e, while valve 3f.

Serial No. 14.052.

Valve rod 3h is operably connected to a lug da on the movable memberof a normally open control bellows Ll, and upon the rod 8 between lug e and the boX 3, is a spring` 3k normally tending; to seat valve 3f upon its related opening 3, to shut olf communication between compartments 3a and 3b, while establishingl communication between compartments 3a and c. A hose connects bellows el with vacuum chest l, whereby when bellows 4 is sucked closed as hereinafter described, by the vacuum in chest l -rod 3h will be shifted to shut ofi communication between compartments 3a anc 3C, and to open simultaneously communication between compart- `ments 3a and 3l.

As shown in section in Fig. 5 the control bellows 4 1s provided with a valve casing a" ot ordinary construction on its Lipper ,ixed member, the rear yface of Vcasing,` tb

through the casing and block 4C, with the hose 5 .leading from the vacuum chest l. Above the diaphragm chamber 4l is a chamber -flf communicating," through aligned open- `ings 4g, il, with the valve chamber ld and the atmosphere respectively. vPreferably a customary screen may be provided over the opening 4h to exclude dust and the like. A passage ik connects the chamber 4f with the interior of the bellows il. fl. valve im .opcrates in the chamber 4f and is adapted to tightly close either the opening lg or 4J?, said valve havinga stem in extending down into the valve chamber 4d, the lower end of the stem l being provided with a button Ll1 resting on a diaphragm lq in the lower part of the valve chamber. Vrlhe portion of the valve chamber 41' below the diaphragm lq communicates, by means oil a duct 4s, with a pipe 23 communicating through a valve S24 on the rewind device (hereinafter described) with the atmosphere. A suitable bleeder or vent passage (not shown) may be provided connecting1 the chambers Lid and 4, above and below the diaphragm si, in the usual manner to permit restoration of an equilibrium of pressure von each side oi' the diaphragm lq after the latter has been in operation.

in brief when Vthe air valve @il is closed, air is excluded from the pipe 25 and chamber l" below the diaphragm e, andthe llO valve elf will drop by air pressure on top of the valve and by suction in the valve chamber -il closing opening 4g, and air will enter the bellows through opening 41h and passage Ll to permit the bellows to open into normal position as shown in Fig. lVhen however air valve 241 is open, air will enter pipe 25 and will pass into chamber Ll" raising diaphragm L1-1 and valve stem 4, whereby valve lm will close the air opening t, and the vacuum of chamber 1d will be extended through passage ik into the bellows 1, thereby Liclting the bellows closed, and raising the stem 3h of the valve in the stop boi: 3.

A. pipe or hose G connects compartment 3@ with the usual pneumatic stack (not shown) upon. which are mounted the usual individual bellows (not shown) which operate, by vacuum to gul down the individual lteys ot the instrument keyboard the instrument is playing.

The erforated music strip S unwinds from shaft 7 as it winds upon shaft 8, while the instrument is playing in the usual manner, roll 7 being preferably disposed above and roll 8 below the usual tracker bar 9, and the music strip S passing in close contact with the tracker bar 9 in the usual manner. On shafts 7 and 8 are brake wheels 7 and 8 respectively. A brake arm 10,

ivoted at 10'bl intermediate its ends, is provided with a brake shoe 10b adapted to contact with brake wheel 7, and is also provided with a shoe 10C adapted when the arm 10 is shifted to cont-act with brake Wheel 8a. A spring 10d having one end connected to the arm 10 adjacent brake shoe 10, and its other end adjustably connected as by a nut 10x to a lifted member ln of the instrument frame as shown in Fig. 1, normally rocks arm 10 to urge shoe 10b into contact with brake wheel 7n to prevent shaft 7 from rotating faster than shaft 8 is driven by the wind motor 13 (hereinafter described) to wind up the strip @i thereon, as the instru ment is pir-lying, and thus prevent strip S from flopping on the tracker bar S), which fiopping might cause the strip to rewind prematurely, or the notes to play at the wrong times.

Connected to arm "iO adjacent brale shoe 10 is a. link 10e having its outer end connected to the movable member 11'L of a bellows 11, which bellows has a connection 12 to the con'ipartnient f3 of stop boi; 8, wl'iereby when bellows 11. is suclted shut, by vacuum as hereinafter explained, brake arm 10 will be rocked on its pivot 1()a to brake the wheel 5% during the rewinding operation, so that shaft 8 will not rotate faster than shaft 7 is being driven by the wind motor 13 to wind up the music strip ci thereon, and Vthus maintain a strip S in close contact with the tracker bar 9 during sucn rewinding operation. The shafts 7 and 8 are operated in any suitable manner (shown diagrammatically in Fig. 1) from a wind motor diagrammatically shown at 13, which motor is driven, when the instrumentis playing, by vacuum from chest 1 through a hose 14, tempo boa 15, and through hose 16 entering the connecting box 13a of said wind motor 13. Connecting box 13a is further connected by a hose 17 with the compartment 8 ot stop bOX 3.

In hose 17, preferably adjacent the connecting box 13EL is a checlr valve 18, as shown in detail in Fig. 2, said valve preferably comprising a tubular casing 18a open at both ends, and adapted to be inserted in the ends of a cut in hose 17 (as shown). Vithin the casing 18:L is an axially movable stem 18" supported in guides 18C, said stem 18b carrying the disk valve 18 adapted to normally seat upon an interior annular flange or seat 18d. The valve disk 18 should be so disposed that gravity will normally hold said disl upon its seat.

The usual rewind hole of tracker bar 9 is connected by hose 19 to the rewind device 2() (hereinafter described) having a bellows 20, which bellows is normally held open by means of a spring 20 having one end engaging the movable member of said bellows and the other end engaging a fixed member li" of the instrument frame. The movable member of said bellows 20a operates the gear shift lever G through a lever :20C so that when bellows 2U is open the wind motor 13 will drive the shafts 7 and S in the playing direction as indicated by the arrows in Fig. l, but when bellows 20 is sucked closed by vacuum, the lever 20c will throw the gear shift G to drive the shafts 7 and 8 in reverse direction for rewinding the strip S.

As shown in Fig. 4r, the rewind device 2O is preferably provided with two valve chambers QOf and 20g which communicate with each other, and with the interior of the bellows 20d, and with the pipe 21 leading from the vacuum chest 1, by means of ducts QU", 20X and QOY whereby vacuum from pipe 21 may be extended into the bellows 20u. Below the valve chambers 201 and 20e' are diaphragm chambers 20 and 20m, and suitable diaphragms separate the respective chambers 20", Q01", also 205, 20m. Above chamber 20g is a valve seat 2U con'imunirating with the atmosphere, and a valve 20 adapted to seat against valve seat 20 to shut oli' communication between the atmosphere and the duct QOY leading into the bellows 20u. Valve 20p is provided with a stem carrying a button which rests upon the diaphragm of chamber 20m. Also upon the stem of valve 201 is a second valve 202 within the chamber 20g adapted to seat, when valve 20 is open, to shut oif communication between duct 20X and chamber 20g; but when valve 20p is lili chamber 20f.

closed then vali/e2()z will be open to eX- tend the vacuum in duct 20X into chamber 20S, duct QOY, and bellows 2Oa sucking said bellows int-o closed position. Above valve chamber QOf is a "bore 2Ot having a valve seat 201, against ,which a valve 20" is adapted to seat, bore 20t being open tothe atmosphere. A duct Q connects bore 2()t above the seat q with the chamber 20m. Valve Q0" is mounted on a stem having a button normally resting upon the diaphragm ot chamber -2.0k in which position valve 201' is unseat- 'ed. Valve stem extends up through the bore 20t Vand above the top of the rewind device and carries a second valve E205 adapted to normally close communication between the bore 2()t and Athe atmosphere when the valve QUT is unseated. As above stated the pipe 19 leading from the rewind hole in the tracker bar9,or from the usual rewind Vbutton 27 on the instrument connects with the chamber 20k whereby air may be admitted to the chamber 20 below the diaphragm. Bellows ,20a is normally held open by spring 20h and when so opened valve 24 is closed. Also when normally playing, air is excluded from pipe 19 and the chamber 20, hence valve 2()1n is unseated from, valve scat 201 lwhile valve 20S closes bore QO, land hence vacuumextends from pipe 2l into bore @Ot through pipe 20 and intochamber 20m causing valve @Opto unseat, land allow air to enter through valve seat 20 into bore QOY and to open bellows 20a. Simultaneously with .the opening jof valve 20p, valve QOZ seats to break the vacuum from duct 20x extending into chamber 20g, which vacuum would tend `to close the bellows 20a. The air, however, enteringint-o the chamber 20g past the open valve 20D opens the bellows 20, such action beine' aided 'by the spring 20".

lV ien however the rewind holes in sheet S register with the rewind 'holes in tracker bar 9 air enters pipe 19 and chamber 2Ok raising valve 2Or against its seat 2Oq to cut oli communication between bore QOt and At the same time valve 20S is unseated,'permitting air to enter bore 202 and the air passes through duct 20 into chamber 20' opening valve 2Oz but closing valve 2Op against its seatv 20, and preventing air trom passing in chamber 2 g into the bore 2Oy and the bellows 20 whereby the bellows Q0a is sucked into closed position by vacuum from pipe 21 through ducts 520, 20X, past valve 202, chamber 20g, and duct 20V. In

`this position the'notch in lever 20d will engage catch Q0@ on the movable member ot bellows 20a, and will hold bellows 20 which operates the clutch lever G closed, while the music rolls 7 and 8 lare rewinding. A small bellows '22 is mounted on the rewind device 20, said bellows being operated 'by vacuum to release the catch lever 20d of bellows 20a. A hose 23 connects `this bellows 22 with the play holes in the vtracker bar 9.

As shown in Fig. tthe bellows 22 is similar to the bellows shown in l? ig. 5, said bellOws'QQ `being-mounted upon the top ofthe rewind device y2() below the catch lever 20d. Bellows 22 is provided with a valve casing 2Q on its upper lined member, the rear face of valve Q2 being connected to a block on the rewind device. Valve casing 2" is provided with a .suction chamber 2z communicating lby n'ieans-oi`l ducts 29 :atending through the casing and block with the vacuum duct 20h in the rewind device. Above .the suction chamber 22d is a valve chamber' 22f comn'iunicating through the aligned openings 22g, 22h, with the suction chamber 22d and the atmosphere respectively. A passage 2Q" connects the valve chamber 221 with the interior oft the bellows 22. A valve 22m operates in the chamber @2f to tightly close the opening 92g or 22h said valve having a stem extending down into the suction chamber, the lower end of stem being provided with a button 22D resting on a diaphragm in the lower part of the suction chamber. The chamber below the diaphragm communicates by means ot a duct 22S with pipe 23 leading Jfrom the play holes in tracker bar 9. A suitable bleeder or vent passage (not shown) may be provided connecting 'the chambers above and below the diaphragm in the usual'manner to permit restoration of an equilibrium oi pressure on each Side of 'the diaphragm after the 'latter has been in operation.

ln brief when the air is excluded from below the diaphragm, valve 22m will drop closing opening 22g by air pressure on top of the valve, and `by suction through the valve chamber 22d from vacuum chest l,

and air will enter the bellows Q2 lthrough opening 22h and passage 22k, to open the bellows 22 when the vinstrument is playing. When however air enters pipe Q3 it will enter below the diaphragm, raising the latter and the valve, whereby valve 22m will close the opening 22h, and vacuum from pipe 2l will extend through passage 22k and into the bellows 22 thereby sucking the bellows closed, and raising the tongue 22x on the movable meml er ot bellows 22, to raise the catch lever 20, and-permit spring 2Gb to pull bellows 20a open.

"l provide Va hose 25 leading from the stop box control bellows Ll, and opening into the atmosphere Vsaid hose being normally closed by a push vbutton valve shown in detail in In the fixed member ot bellows 20 is Fig. aU-shaped duct 2l@ into which is secured one end of `the hose"l Q5, the other end ot-said -llO n l u face, said valve 24 being loosely mounted on a valve stem 24 passing through an opening` into the ixed member of bellows 20a. The outer end 24d oit stem 24C is preterably liared or cone-shaped to retain the dislr 211 upon the stem 211 while permitting the dislr to assume a slight angularity with respect thereto. ri small washer Qte on stem Q49 is interposed between the opposite face of the dish and an eyelet or shoulder 25J to normally hold the disk against the flared end 24d ot the valve stem. The above construction of the valve and stem permits the valve disk 241 to seat effecting in case dirt should get between the packing E@ and the tace oit the bellows 52W. Stem 2&6 passes through the ixed member ot bellows 2()n and into the path et the movable member'. A fiat spring Qslg engaging outer end ot valve stem 24 normally presses the disk to close the open end of duct 2LP, and hence to close hose 25. l.Vlien however bellows 20@ is sucked shut the valve stem 211 will be moved by the engagement ol said stem with the movable member ot bellows Q0 to move the disk to uncover said duct lience when bellows 20@ is open valve Q4 is closed, but when bellows 20 is closed, valve Q11 is open.

In a convenient portion ot' the instrument casing, as at F2, i provide two push buttonL valves 26 and 27 normally closing the entrances to two hoses Q8 and QS) (see Fig. 1) said valves being )refer-ably similar in con-- struction 'to valve Q41-, but adapted to be manually operated by the player ot the instrunient. VHose Q8 connects with the hose leading from the play holes of the tracker bar S), while hose 2S) connects with the hose 19 leading troni the rewind hole of the tracker bar 9. Hence when the iustrument is playing and rewind push button valve 27 is depressed air is admitted to hose 19 and the instrument will thereupon start to rewind. lVhile thus rewinding if push button valve 2G is depressed, air will be admitted to hose and the instrument will thereupon start again to play.

ln operation, the coinpartn'ient 3 of stop box 3 is under constant vacuum from vacuum chest 1. .Vhen the instrument is playing control bellows et open and `valve rod 3h depressed thereby maintaining vacuum in compartn'ient Se or stop box 3, and in hose 6 leading to the pneumatic stack, thereby operating the leys ot the instrument lrey board as the pertorations in strip S register with those ot tracker bar 9. During this time the motor 123 is being continuously operated by vacuum in hose 14, tempo box 15, and hose 1G, directly from vacuum chest 1, to rotate the shafts 7 and 8 in the playing direction. Compartment 3b of stop box 3 is shut off from vacuum chest 1 by valve 3f and hence the brake bellows 11 is in its normal open position, spring 10b rocking brake arm 10 to brake the wheel 7EL of shaft 7 and hence preventing the shaft 7, from which the music strip is unwinding, from rotating faster than shaft 8 is being driven by the wind motor 13, the music strip S winding upon shat't S. Also during this time the bellows 20a of the rewind device l0 is held in open position by spring 20h.

However, while the instrument is thus playing and communication between the compartment 3b cut off by valve 3f from compartment 3Q, vacuum is maintained in hose 111, tempo box 15, hose 16, and in the connecting box 13a of the wind motor 1L, which connecting` box 13'L is directly connected to compartment 3b by hose 17. Hence there would be vacuum in hose 17 and in compartment 3b, and brake bellows 11 would always be closed and continuously hold brake shoe 10c against brake wheel 8a except for the. interposition ot' check valve 18 in pipe 17. The weight oli' valve disk 18 augu inented by the vacuum in connecting box 18 will tend to close the disk 18 against its seat 18d, and prevent establishing vacuum in compartment- 3l.

ritter the music plays to the end of strip Si, and the usual rewind holes in strip S register with the usual rewind hole in tracker bar 9, or ilLl push button valve 27 is depressed air will pass througl'i hose 19 into the rewind device 2O operating a valve (not shown) in the' usual manner to permit vacuum in chest 1 and hose 25 to suck bellows 20 shut, thereby reversing the direction of rotation of the shafts 7 and S, and opening valve on bellows 20th Toe notched lever 20d will maintain bellows 20 in closed position until released by the opening oi' small bellows While valve 24 is open air passes through hose to the valve to stop box control bellows 4i establishing vacuum in bellows LlV which sucks same shut thereby pushing valve rod 3 up, and establishing vacuum in the compartment 3bot' stop box 3, the operation oi rod 25h simultaneously closing communication between compartments :Sa and 3 and destroying the vacuum in the pneun'iatic stack whereby the lreys ot the .instrument keyboard cannot play notes at a discord while the strip S is rewinding. The vacuum in compartment 3b will suck bellows 11 shut, thereby rocking braliearm 10 to brake the sha'jt S during the rewinding operation, and furthermore, the excess vacuum in compartment 3" and hence in hose 17 will suck valve 18 open, and augument the partial vacuum in the wind motor 13, and increasing the speed ot' the wind motor 13 during rewindng, which result is very desirable.

Ar'liter rewinding, when bellows 20a is open by the releasing of catch lever 20 upon the closing of small bellows 22, valve 24 is closed, and2 consequently stop box control bellows 4 will again open; permitting valve rod 3h to drop thereby closing communication betweenV compartments 3a and 3b, which operation takes place atterthe musicstrip S* is rewonnd and the play holes in the strip S4 strike the play holes in the tracker bar; and the rolll is ready to play over again; or` if push button valve 26 is depressed by the' operator.

The above described construction andY arrangement of parts provides a simple and efficient vacuum brake system for automatic musical instruments inwhich the roll from which the music is unwinding, either in the playing or rewinding direction, will be automatically bi'aked; the excessvacuum during rewinding will be set up in the wind motor to increase the speed of rotation thereof during rewinding; valve 18 automatically prevents vacuum in the wind motor 13 operating the brake bellows l1 while the instrument is playing, and valve 24 on the rewind1 device automatically admits vacuum into the brake bellows l1 during rewinding.

I claim:

l. In an apparatus for braking the music rolls of automatic musical instruments, having a music roll brake; a brake bellows for shifting the brake; a vacuum chest; and a connection between said chest and said brake bellows; of a normally closed valve in the connection between said vacuum chest and brake bellows; and means for automatically opening said valve when said brake is to be shifted.

2. In an apparatus as set forth in claim l; said means comprising a control bellows operatively connected with said valve; a spring `for normally maintaining said bellows open to close said valve; a connection between said control bellows and the vacuum chest; a normally closed valve in said connection; a diaphragm controlling the latter valve an air pipe connecting with said diaphragm; a push button valve in said aii pipe 'for admitting air into said air pipe valve; a spring for normally closing said push button valve; and means for automatically opening said push button valve, when the music is rewindiiig.

In an apparatus for braking the music rolls of automatic musical instruments, having a. wind motor and connections for driving the music rolls, means for reversing the t direction oi rotation of said music rolls in cluding a reversing bellows, a music roll brake, a brake bellows for shifting the brake,

' a vacuum chest, and connection between said chest and said brake bellows; of a normally closed valve in the connection between said vacuum chest and brake bellows; and means for automatically opening said valve when said brake is to be shifted,

In an apparatus as set forth in claim 3, said automatic means comprising a control bellows-i operatively connected with said valve; a spring for normally maintaining said; bellows open to close said valve; a connection between said-v control' bellows and the vacuum chest; a normally closed valve in said connection; a diaphragm controlling. the latter valve, an air pipei connecting with said diaphragm; a push button valve on the reversing` bellows for closing` said air pipe; a spring. for normally closing said push button valve, said valve havingv its stem entering` into saidE reversing bellows, whereby when the reversing bellows is: closed said push button valve will be opened, admitting air into said air pipe to actuate the said diaphragm to open said second mentioned valve, and cause said control bellows to open said valve in the connection between the vacuum chest and brake bellows.

5. In an apparatus as set forth in claim 3, a connection between the wind motor and the brake bellows; and a normally closed check valve in said connection to prevent establishing vacuum in said brake bellows while the instrument is playing; while permitting vacuum being established in said brake bellows when the valve in the connection between tlie vacuum chest and brake bellows is opened, the excess vacuum set up in said connection between the wind motor and brake bellows opening said check valve and auginenting the vacuum in said wind motor, whereby the speed of the latter during rewinding will be increased.

6. In an apparatus for braking the music rolls of automatic musical instruments, having a tracker bar, a wind motor, and connections driving said music rolls; a vacuum chest, means for reversing the direction ot rotation of said music rolls including a reversing bellows, a connection between said reversing bellows and the vacuum chest, means cooperating with said tracker bar for establishing vacuum in said reversing bellows at the end of a music strip, a brake normally braking the roll from which the music strip is unwound when the instrument is playing, a brake bellows for shifting the brake Jfor rewinding, a vacuum chest, and a connection between said chest and said brake bellows; of' a normally closed valve in the connection between said vacuum chest and brake bellows; and means for automatically opening said valve when said reversing bellows closes.

7. In apparatus as set forth in claim 6, said automatic means comprising a control bellows operatively connected with said valve; a spring for normally maintaining said brake bellows open to close said valve; a connection between said control bellows and the vacuum chest; a normally closed valve in said connection; a diaphragm Jfor operating the latter valve, An air pipe connecting with said diaphragm; a push button valve on the reversing` bellows for operating` said diaphragm; a springr for normally closing` said push button valve; said valve having its stem entering into said reversing bellows,

whereby when the reversing bellows is closed said push button valve will be opened, admitting air inte said diaphragm to actuate the said valve, and cause said control bellows to open the valve in the connection between the vacuum chest and brake bellows.

8. In an apparatus es set forth in claim 6, a Connection between the wind motor and the brake bellows; and a normally closed check valve in said Connection to prevent establishingv vacuum in said brake bellows while the instrui'nent is playing, but permitting vacuum being` established in said bellows.y when the iirst mentioned valve is opened, theeX- cess vacuum set up in said connection open- .ing said Cheek valve, and augmenting the vacuum in said wind motor. whereby the speed of the latter during rewinding;` will be increased.

In testimony that l claim the foregoingr as my own7 I atlix my signature.

NORMAN G. BAKER. 

